The story of Francis of Assisi and its relevance to the current zeitgeist w/ Rafe Adams [Episode 18 of the Intentional Clinician Podcast]
In this episode, Paul Krauss MA LPC invites Rafe Adams to tell the story of Francis of Assisi. You’re bound to enjoy his telling of this tale. Rafe expertly frames the cultural context and captures mood of the historical events. Rafe discusses the famous conversion of Francis from a young man of privilege into one who took a vow of poverty and lived with lepers in order to live out the words of the gospels, literally. He further goes on to explain the rejection of Francis by his own father and brother and draws parallels to the current zeitgeist of the United States. He doesn’t only speak on the gap between the rich and poor, but what happens to those born of privilege when they challenge entrenched ideas, laws, and economic forces of the day. In the interview Rafe also discusses the cultural, historical, political, and spiritual significance of Francis’ founding of the Order of Friars Minor (aka “The Franciscans”). This episode showcases Rafe’s talent of storytelling and how he can artfully move from his points about Francis of Assisi’s life and work and connect to themes of the broader human experience. Fans of philosophy, counseling, sociology, and spirituality are bound to enjoy this episode.
It’s truly a treat to listen to Rafe and Paul converse about how both in Francis’ time and and in modern times, people risk rejection by family and “cultural tribe” if they speak the truth about certain issues in their community, or work for causes that help “the least of these”, refuse to invest in certain economic trends, or speak loudly and passionately about unpopular truths. In addition to the aforementioned topics, the following topics are also discussed: personal transformation, rejection, counseling, psychology, spirituality, and (most savory of all) BBQ.
The Rt. Rev. Raphael Adams (Rafe Adams), MS OTR/L is the Bishop of the Mid-American Diocese of the Ecumenical Catholic Communication. He is a member of the Franciscans of Reconciliation. He is a former professor at Rush University Chicago, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Consultant, and Occupational Therapist.
Paul Krauss MA LPC is a full-time Private Practice Psychotherapist, the host of the Intentional Clinician Podcast, Behavioral Health Consultant, Clinical Trainer, and Counseling Supervisor. Paul is the creator of the National Violence Prevention Hotline (in progress) https://www.violencepreventionhotline.org/ as well as the Intentional Clinician Training Program for Counselors. Paul consults for and trains clinicians at behavioral health organizations. Paul works at at Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, in Grand Rapids MI and is frequently visits Phoenix, AZ for work as well. Questions? Call Paul at 616-365-5530 (direct), or at the office 616-200-4433. Learn more about Paul at https://www.paulkrausscounseling.com/
Original music:
“Shades of Currency” [Instrumental] from Archetypes by PAWL
“Corridor of Dreams from Midnight Cleaners by The Cleaners from Venus
Music available here:
https://thecleanersfromvenus.bandcamp.com/album/midnight-cleaners
